Dirt_Dad
Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Could it happen...? I'm not sure, but currently the thought process is going like this.
Summer 2019
After 7 years of riding a Tenere, Dirt_Mom (DM) nervously gives up her Tenere and allows me to persuade her onto a smaller BMW F750 GS. She quickly realizes the bike is a dramatically better fit for her than her beloved Tenere. She rides more, is much more confident and relaxed on the smaller bike. I have to admit, I'm also very impressed with the bike. She starts trying to talk me into the 850 version of her bike.
Fall 2019
I start contemplating the idea of a lighter bike. Mildly looking at different offerings from the European brands. Unfortunately, the Japanese are uninterested in having serious offerings in the lighter weight 750-950cc adventure bikes. Too bad, I always prefer Japanese brands.
Winter 2020
We book an Alps ride and I reserve the BMW F850 GS for me to ride for a week. That will be a good test of what I think of that bike.
Spring 2020
COVID-19
In May take a ride to catch up with riding buddies down in Tennessee. Hardcore twisties, lot's of dirt, fantastic riding and a great get-together. How could I ever consider getting rid of the Tenere? I ride a buddy's KTM 790 Adventure (dirt focused), not inspiring. Why would I give up the Tenere. Not interested, The Tenere fits me. Maybe if Yamaha updates it I'll get another one, but my Tenere is perfect for me.
Summer 2020
Sitting here today looks like Europe is not going to let us Americans ride the Alps....crap!
June 16, 2020: Sell my DR650 and get a used KTM 690 Enduro R. The KTM is a better fit for me off pavement and fills a performance gap that's been missing for a long time.
June 20, 2020: Ride the KTM for 165 miles. Very pleased with the new addition to the stable.
June 21, 2020: Another 170 mile KTM ride. Awesome off pavement, but this bike is fatiguing at prolonged speeds over 55 MPH. I miss my Tenere.
June 23, 2020: I take DMs BMW to the shop for the VA State Inspection (required). By the time I'm in 3rd gear, I'm reminded of what a fantastic bike this is. Very impressed.
June 27, 2020: DM and I go on a 165 mile dirt bike ride. That's a lot of miles at DM dirt speed. Really fatigued, really missing my Tenere.
June 28, 2020: Finally, let's get the Tenere out. I've missed my bike. Swing a leg over and pull out of the driveway. Damn this thing is ginormous...and sluggish. Look to see if I'm in Touring mode. Nope, it's in Sport. Where's the throttle response...dang, this thing is massive. So this must be what it's like to ride a Harley bagger. At least the seat if comfy, and the wind protection is good, but wow this is big and sluggish. Takes me almost an hour to shake this perception and get back to near normal on my favorite bike for the last 9 years.
I can appreciate why the Tenere would feel so different from the peppy and very light KTM. Makes sense. What doesn't make sense is why my KTM to Tenere reaction was so dramatically different from my KTM to BMW GS reaction. It makes me wonder if I'm depriving myself of something that I'd enjoy even more than my much loved Tenere.
Of course mentioning these thoughts to DM makes her go for the jugular. She's pushing hard, making her best arguments on why I should get the GS. She definitely has some points. We go through enough motorsports products (33 and counting) over the years to understand how things work. No bike is ever "the last bike" and if the next bike doesn't workout it's hardly a mistake that cannot be corrected. The idea of giving up the one remaining Tenere in the fleet is not a thought I take lightly. Not sure if I can (or should) do it.
Summer 2019
After 7 years of riding a Tenere, Dirt_Mom (DM) nervously gives up her Tenere and allows me to persuade her onto a smaller BMW F750 GS. She quickly realizes the bike is a dramatically better fit for her than her beloved Tenere. She rides more, is much more confident and relaxed on the smaller bike. I have to admit, I'm also very impressed with the bike. She starts trying to talk me into the 850 version of her bike.
Fall 2019
I start contemplating the idea of a lighter bike. Mildly looking at different offerings from the European brands. Unfortunately, the Japanese are uninterested in having serious offerings in the lighter weight 750-950cc adventure bikes. Too bad, I always prefer Japanese brands.
Winter 2020
We book an Alps ride and I reserve the BMW F850 GS for me to ride for a week. That will be a good test of what I think of that bike.
Spring 2020
COVID-19
In May take a ride to catch up with riding buddies down in Tennessee. Hardcore twisties, lot's of dirt, fantastic riding and a great get-together. How could I ever consider getting rid of the Tenere? I ride a buddy's KTM 790 Adventure (dirt focused), not inspiring. Why would I give up the Tenere. Not interested, The Tenere fits me. Maybe if Yamaha updates it I'll get another one, but my Tenere is perfect for me.
Summer 2020
Sitting here today looks like Europe is not going to let us Americans ride the Alps....crap!
June 16, 2020: Sell my DR650 and get a used KTM 690 Enduro R. The KTM is a better fit for me off pavement and fills a performance gap that's been missing for a long time.
June 20, 2020: Ride the KTM for 165 miles. Very pleased with the new addition to the stable.
June 21, 2020: Another 170 mile KTM ride. Awesome off pavement, but this bike is fatiguing at prolonged speeds over 55 MPH. I miss my Tenere.
June 23, 2020: I take DMs BMW to the shop for the VA State Inspection (required). By the time I'm in 3rd gear, I'm reminded of what a fantastic bike this is. Very impressed.
June 27, 2020: DM and I go on a 165 mile dirt bike ride. That's a lot of miles at DM dirt speed. Really fatigued, really missing my Tenere.
June 28, 2020: Finally, let's get the Tenere out. I've missed my bike. Swing a leg over and pull out of the driveway. Damn this thing is ginormous...and sluggish. Look to see if I'm in Touring mode. Nope, it's in Sport. Where's the throttle response...dang, this thing is massive. So this must be what it's like to ride a Harley bagger. At least the seat if comfy, and the wind protection is good, but wow this is big and sluggish. Takes me almost an hour to shake this perception and get back to near normal on my favorite bike for the last 9 years.
I can appreciate why the Tenere would feel so different from the peppy and very light KTM. Makes sense. What doesn't make sense is why my KTM to Tenere reaction was so dramatically different from my KTM to BMW GS reaction. It makes me wonder if I'm depriving myself of something that I'd enjoy even more than my much loved Tenere.
Of course mentioning these thoughts to DM makes her go for the jugular. She's pushing hard, making her best arguments on why I should get the GS. She definitely has some points. We go through enough motorsports products (33 and counting) over the years to understand how things work. No bike is ever "the last bike" and if the next bike doesn't workout it's hardly a mistake that cannot be corrected. The idea of giving up the one remaining Tenere in the fleet is not a thought I take lightly. Not sure if I can (or should) do it.